“I do not think anyone can define "behavior that tends toward extinction" as being "moral" without stretching the word "moral" all out of shape.”

— Robert A. Heinlein

The Pragmatics of Patriotism (1973)
Context: I now define "moral behavior" as "behavior that tends toward survival." I won't argue with philosophers or theologians who choose to use the word "moral" to mean something else, but I do not think anyone can define "behavior that tends toward extinction" as being "moral" without stretching the word "moral" all out of shape.

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Robert A. Heinlein 557

American science fiction author 1907–1988

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